Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1887-03-16
&eading.
COL. JAMES H. RION.
THE RECORD OF Il MODEST AND NOBLE
LIFE,


Judge Hudson's Personal RecollectiOns of
the Distinguished Lawyer---An Example
that is Full of Encouragement and In
structiOn for the Young Men OF South
. Carolina.
[F'rom the Charleston Sunday Ne,cs.l
My acquaintance with Col. Rion began
when a student in the South Carolina
College. When entered the sophomore
class in December, A. d. 1S49, he had
risen senior, and quite naturally, no init
macy sprang up between us, because of
being thus far removed from each other.
Besides he was member Of the Clarios-
ophic Society, and of the Euphradian,
and the oportunity of knowing him and
of judging of his ability as debater and
of his scholarly attachments was thus lost
to me-. Hence could only rely upon his
standing with the faculty and his reputa;,
ton among the students of his class and
society in forming an opinion concerning
his intellectual strength. He was then,
as he ever after continued, of medium
height, but slender, of a quick step, 1.-the
and active. His eyes were keen, his face
thoughtful, his manners modest, his words
few. Except in the society of his init
mate friends he was not communicative,
but reserved. Being close student he
had no time to indulge in even the mild
est forms of college dissipations, and so
by those who knew him not intimately
was regarded wanting in good fellowship
and geniality of temper. To his friends
and intimates, however, he was warm
hearted, and, in their society, an excellent
and instructive talker, but words he new
er wasted upon any subject, either gay,
lively orsevere.
At this time he was, indeed, among
the students of the College the object of
interest and admiration. Especially was
this the case with thosein the classes below
him, and to members of the Euphradian
Society he was an object of wonder.
The Clariosophics knew his wonderful
strength, but the Euphradians could but
gaze with wonder on one so little distin-
guished in appearance, and who was held
up as the equal, if not the superior, of the
handsome, dashing, brilliant Barnwell.
The rivalry between the two societies,
the Euphradian and Clariosophic, Was in
tense, but of kind ever to be commend
ed-a laudable ambition to eclipse in num-
bers and intellectual strength, but entire
ly free from animosity. Each strove an
nually to win the highest honors of the
College. The Euphradian candidate in
1850 for the first honor of that class was
Robert w. Barnwell, Jr., young man
whose equal is rarely found. He was pos
sessed of a commanding presence, a bril-
liant eye, countenance beamlng with
intelligence, a musical voice, eloquent
tongue; was born orator, charming talk
er, and was gifted with capacity, SEEM
ingly, for universal scholarship. His per
sonal magnetism was far greater than
Rion's. We of the inferior classes, but of
the Euphradian Society, knew we'll the
elouuence of BarnWell, his splendid pow
ers in debate, and his broad attainments
in literature, manifested in his finished
essays and thrilling speeches. l have no
hesitation in saying that the ablest speech
l heard delivered against the policy OF
Secession of the Southern States fell from
the lips of young Barnwell, in a debate
in the Euphradian Society, during his
senior year, A. D. 1850. I make this as
sertion, although we had the privilege OF
hearing, at the old Taylor Springs, such
men as Judge A. P. Butler, Col. John 5.
Preston and Col. James Chestnut, Jr., du-
ring that year, on the same side of the
question.
It may readily be understood, therefore,
why we of the Euphradian society could
not believe that our gifted orator and
scholar would be defeated by the silent,
modest, reserved, pale, slight attenuated
rival of the Clariosophic Society, James
H. Ri0n. The latter had entered college
with difficulty, being "noted' on Greek
that is, failed to pass the entrance exam,
ination on that branch-and was regarded
deficient in general knowledge. But we
counted "without our host" as the re-
suit proved and as we began to fear before
the final trial came. Never before had
such excitement prevailed in the old Col
lege over the first honor. Such was the
testimony of the oldest members of the
Faculty, who, likewise declared that two
more gifted rivals had not appeared in a
class within their recollection. Rion, how
ever, won, aud that, too, by the vote,
close though, of as distinguished facul-
ty as the College ever had.
A kind Providence had made me an in
inmate of the family Of the distinguished
president of the College, the Hon. VIM. &.
Preston. From him l had learned much
of the real merits of young Rion, and was
more prepared in mind for his victory
than were many ofmy fellow Euphradians.
1t was in this family, also, that | first be-
came acquainted with the accomplished
and highly intellectual Miss Kitty Weir,
whom Rion afterwards married, and
who survives her distinguished husband,
a woman worthy in every respect OF such
a man, and resembling him much in the
cast of his intellect.
Rion was the only son of widowed
mother, and came to college without the
means to pay his expenses. He is sup.
posed to have been aided by the great
Calhoun, but 1 think it is mistake. l
have been told by one who was Clario-
sophie and of a class ahead of him, that
Rion came to college under these clrcum-
stances:
Each society supported one beneficiary
student. The beneficiary of the Clario-
sophie Society having graduated, the
members began to cast about for Wor-
thy object of their bounty, when it was
suggested by, perhaps son OF MIR. Cal
houn, that there was in Anderson
"smart little fellow" James H. Rion, the
son of widow lady, who wished an ed
ucation, and who would reflect credit on
the society if he could only enter college.
He was accordingly chosen, and request
ed to come down and apply. He came,
applied, and was admitted, but was SO de-
ficient in Greek that the kind hearted
DR.. Henry was forced to reject him. The
condition of his admission was, that with
in given period he should qualify him
self in Greek. He not only did this but
soon stood first of his class in this branch,
and maintained this prominence to the
end. His average stand throughout his
entire college career, which is matter of
record, is said to exceed the maximum
on all the branches. The maximum be-.
ing 8, his average was 8 plus on all
branches.
Within month after graduating he be-
came engaged to be married to Miss
Weir, who then went to her relations in
Pennsylvania, whilst he proceeded to
Winnsboro' and took charge in Jan
uary, 1851, of Professorship in Mount
Zion College, then, and for many years